Sayings of al-Harith al-Muhasibi: Sufi quotations
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Al-Harith al-Muhasibi (781-857), of Baghdad, is the master of self-examination (muhasaba, “rendering an account”): his work founds the spiritual psychology of classical Sufism.
al-Muhasibi: working towards excellence
Had you put into practice as many works as the knowledge granted you, you would still not have thanked God as befits Him for the least favour in this world (to say nothing of spiritual favours). So even if you were to work towards excellence (ihsan), it would be nothing compared to what you know of the divine benevolence towards you.
al-Harith ben Asad al-Muhasibi: the truthful man
The truthful man… when he considers a thing, he draws a lesson from it. When he is silent, he meditates. When he speaks, he remembers God. When he suffers a privation, he shows himself patient. When he receives a favour, he shows himself grateful. He also knows how to recollect himself in trial, to be magnanimous when a fool wrongs him, to stay humble despite his knowledge, to show kindness when he teaches, and to give without counting when he is asked.
al-Harith ben Asad al-Muhasibi: apply yourself to clemency
Pay the legal alms (al-zakat) promptly and gladly, and preserve the integrity of your fast by avoiding lying and calumny. Take care to respect the rights of your neighbour, of the poor and of your kin. Look after the education of your family and be kind to your servants. Perform your prayers zealously, as you have been commanded. If you feel drawn towards some good, be diligent in it. Keep away from whatever seems equivocal to you, apply yourself to clemency towards the believers, and speak the truth wherever you find yourself.
al-Muhasibi
Serving others is the most difficult form of devotion, and the one that holds the greatest share of humility. If a man makes himself humble for Allah and becomes useful to others, he lowers himself for others and is raised up by Him.
al-Muhasibi
Strange indeed is the man who holds another in horror. To detest him comes down to making him intimate, for the one you think you are keeping at bay invades your heart whenever you speak of him.
al-Muhasibi
To utter His praises, to perfect the eulogy of Allah, to accomplish what He has commanded us and to draw near to Him through constant effort: so might gratitude be summed up.
al-Muhasibi
He who amasses riches without caring to keep them, who does not put his trust in them and who intends to distribute them where it is best, even if a part of himself were to contradict that laudable disposition, such a one is one of the treasurers of Allah.